'System, how long was I out? I mean, how long have I been on this pnet?’
---
> Ding!
The host was unconscious for 2 hours and 36 minutes.
You have been on this pnet for a total of 2 hours and 40 minutes.
---
‘Okay… Now that I think about it, you said this is the past, before my universe was created. So, exactly how long ago was that?’
---
> Ding!
The host is correct. The present time for your universe is 15 billion years in the future.
The exact distance cannot be determined, as the save point or checkpoint does not currently exist. You will need to wait.
---
‘F*! Doesn’t that mean I’ll be stuck waiting that long? Won’t I die of old age before my universe is even created?!’
---
> Ding!
The host need not worry. It is impossible for you to die of old age while I am here.
If you were to die now, the save point on Earth would be erased, and you would be reincarnated into a new body.
---
I walked over to the window and looked outside.
I was on the fourth floor of this building.
Man… it was a complete mess.
There weren’t any body parts scattered around, but blood was everywhere.
Outside, it was a chaotic game of cat and mouse—humans desperately running while zombie-like creatures chased them down.
I frowned.
What kind of nightmare did I drop into?
‘System, are there protagonists in this world, or am I the protagonist here?’
---
> Ding!
Dear host, "protagonist" is not a real concept—just a bel for lucky individuals.
You are not a protagonist.
However, if you define a protagonist as the luckiest person, then yes, you qualify.
But you were not chosen by the system because of luck.
You were chosen because it was meant to be.
Also, I did not choose you the host.
---
I blinked.
So… protagonists aren’t real?
‘Huh. I thought I was some kind of protagonist… or maybe I was supposed to hunt one.’
I shrugged.
‘Let’s see what’s outside.’
---
For now, I needed to gear up.
I used [Item Creation] to make an axe, held it tightly, took a deep breath, and slowly opened the door.
Outside was a corridor, about 2.5 meters wide.
I looked around and muttered, ‘Damn… this is a high-css hotel. Even the hallways are wide.’
I looked left and right—no one. Perfect.
I went back, grabbed the desks, and pced them on both sides of the corridor.
Then, I turned my attention to the right side and slowly pushed another desk forward, inch by inch.
When I reached the next room’s door, I tried opening it.
Locked.
Either someone was inside, or it was stuck.
I knocked lightly to test.
Tup… Tup… Tup…
Almost immediately, a series of noises erupted—
Thud! Crash! Pap-pap-pap!
Low, guttural growls followed.
Yep. Definitely a zombie inside.
Then, from the fourth door down the hall, something stepped out.
I narrowed my eyes and instinctively activated [Identification].
---
[Identification]
Creature: Zombie Lv. 1
Name: None
Age: 34
Attributes:
Strength: 15
Agility: 5
Physique: 3
Ability: [Infection]
(Note: Can infect targets of equal or lower level)
Note: An unknown virus infecting this human.
Low physical defense, but extreme regeneration.
High strength, but impaired movement due to decay.
---
I looked at the desk in front of me.
‘F*… will this thing even hold?’
The zombie charged like a starving dog, eyes locked on me.
I instinctively backed up, nearly reaching the door I came from.
It ran fast—too fast.
‘Please don’t jump. Please don’t jump.’
Then I saw it—
Its momentum carried it over the desk.
Not a leap, but a crash—slowing it down.
‘Now.’
I tightened my grip on the axe.
Stay calm. One clean strike.
If I missed—I’d have to run.
Three meters… two meters…
Time slowed.
My heart pounded.
One meter.
I exhaled.
3… 2… 1—
I swung the axe with everything I had.
THUK!CRACK—THWACK! SPLOSHH!
Rotten flesh and thick, putrid blood spttered.
The stench hit me instantly.
"Bruhh—!"
I gagged and vomited.
My hands were trembling.
‘F*…’
Before I could process it—
A strange white light rose from the corpse.
It floated toward me—
Then shot straight into my forehead.
